Rusty start for Serena

THE first step in Serena Williams’s comeback underscored how far she has to go after more than a year away from tennis.

In her first competition since giving birth five months ago, Williams and sister Venus lost 6-2, 6-3 to Dutch pair Lesley Kerkhove and Demi Schuurs in the Fed Cup in North Carolina.

“I honestly feel better than I thought I was going to feel,” Williams said yesterday.

The US had already clinched victory in the tie thanks to three singles wins, including two by Venus.

Williams, 36, hadn’t played competitive tennis since winning the 2017 Australian Open.